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macbook air + imac or macbook pro + external display

C

cakebytheocean

macrumors regular
Original poster
Apr 3, 2017
148
55
Disclaimer: I know the answer to my question will depend on my own workflow however I'm curious to know other people's opinions and what they have in their own setups.

Trying to decide between using an iMac as my main computer at home and then a macbook air/macbook pro 13 for travel or getting a full fledged macbook pro 16 and an external display for home use - any opinions along with rationale? What setup do you folks have for travel/home use?

Thanks
 
I would choose, mac mini with the base 14inch for traveling.

I won’t get the air since it will be refreshed next year. iMacs are eye candy but Mac mini offers the same. I already have an external monitor & mech keyboard/mouse.
 
Ditching my 27 iMac. Going 14pro + 4k monitor, mech kB and mouse. Have an early 2015 i7 3.1 mb pro I traded in. iMac is going to brother. No longer syncing, yea, and gaining tons of desk space back.
 
Using a laptop as a primary computing source is not a tedious task.
Plugging a HDMI into a monitor or hub even with a C dongle is painless and quick.
and with the portability of a laptop one can use that anywhere is an advantage over a tower/monitor.

I'm looking to buy an iMac or a MacBook pro from 2013ish
and reading that the RAM upgrades are a nosebleed on those Imacs
while the battery replacement involved on the MBpros is extensive.
i don't know is it a good ro bad aspect that todays'  products
do not have those "luxuries" were everything in embedded.
 
In a world where one cable can give you two 4k 60hz monitors, charging, mouse/keyboard, ethernet, additional usb, etc, I don't see any reason to have a desktop that has equivalent or less power than a laptop that you already have / are going to get.
 
beardev said:
In a world where one cable can give you two 4k 60hz monitors, charging, mouse/keyboard, ethernet, additional usb, etc, I don't see any reason to have a desktop that has equivalent or less power than a laptop that you already have / are going to get.
Click to expand...
Assuming you would need some sort of switch for this? any reccos?
 
I had been using a 2015 MBA connected to a Thunderbolt Display. Worked ok but was a little underpowered. Switched to the M1 iMac which I prefer the display size on and relegated the Air to my occasional travel use. I use iCloud to keep everything in sync.
 
The new macbook pro screens look amazing and I can't help but think that tech will go into the new 27 inch (or rumored 32 inch) imacs which will look even more incredible - this is making me want to wait for and get the new imac next year supplementing it with a cheaper macbook air/pro 13 from last year for travel/use around the house when not at my desk.
The flip side is that when I am using the laptop away from my desk for any period of time the new macbook pros have a feature set that is way more enjoyable to use.
In an ideal world I would be rich enough to get the new macbook pro this year and a newer version imac next year but thats not feasible.
 
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